ESTEPONA HAS BECOME ONE OF THE MOST EMERGING TOWNS IN THE COSTA DEL SOL. ITS SPECIAL LOCATION BETWEEN THE MOUNTAIN AND THE SEA ALLOWS US TO ENJOY VERY DIFFERENT THINGS IN A SMALL AREA.

The 137 km2 of its municipal area have a varied landscape with gentle slopes on the land which is ridged by a dozen streams and small rivers. Those who love of green areas can enjoy paths and excursions and discover beautiful places, such as the Pedregales Park or the unparalleled Sierra Bermeja. With a population of 51.000 inhabitants according to the census, the population of Estepona is really in the region of/about 100.000 inhabitants now.

The oldest remains found in Estepona go back to the prehistory. The Phoenician and Roman civilisations have also left marks in the area. In the tenth century, during the Cordovan Caliphate, the city of Estebbuna is founded, which is the origin of the current Estepona. However, in 1456 the city is conquered and destroyed by the Christian troops. It is at the beginning of the sixteenth century when the Catholic Monarchs order the reconstruction of its walls due to is excellent strrategic location.
Successively, remains of great importance have continued to appear, such as the Collection of Dolmens from the Copper Age found in the spot of Corominas or a deposit of the Mesozoic age, right in the middle of the historic city centre.

A city with great monuments
Some of the most important monuments are: the ruins of the Nicio Castle, the Clock Tower (old minaret of a mosque), the seven Beacon Towers of its coast, the remains of the San Luis Castle, the los Remedios Church (eighteenth century), and the original Bullring, where there are five museums: the Paleontologic, the bullfighting, the Archeological, the Farm equipment and the Image and Sound Museums.

Sports and adventure
With regard to sports, in addition to the traditional nautical sports (with its magnificent marina at the head), Estepona forms a favourable enviroment for the practice of golf, paragliding, mountain sports, tennis, and even adventure sports, such as the tirolene, the climbing and lianin at the Selwo Natural Park.
In this theme park, all animal species live in semi-freedom. Likewise, the School of Equestrian Art shows the purest horse tradition from Andalucia and also offers horse routes, horseriding classes, pony-club and all type of carriage drawing. With regard to the landscape, most of the area/territory of Estepona is dominated by the impresseve presence of Sierra Bermeja. Its summit is reached through luxuriant forests os Spanish firs, chestnuts, pines and other species. Its natural beauty and the area filled with Spanish firs on the highest zone, led it to be declares as a Natural Spot by the Junta de Andalucia.

The Congress Palace of Estepona belongs to the Town Hall, therefore it combines the activities organised by the Town Hall and the activities of private companies or business or incentive groups that need a meeting point.
With more than 3000 m2, its facilities adapt to different celebrations, presentations, festivals, meetings, exhibitions, congresses, conventions, business meals, shows, sports events, fashion shows, events, concerts...
The low and sandy coast of Estepona spreads along more than 21 km and offers a series of fantastic beaches with coves, rocky zones with cliffs, which form beautiful sea landscapes, and especially wide zones of sand to relax and enjoy. The beaches of La Rada, El Cristo, Bahía Dorada and the natural beach of Costa Natura stand out, among many others, which deserve the Blue Flag year after year.

Excellent infrastructures
The hotel infrastructure of Estepona, of a high category, with Malaga airport and with the main surrounding cities by a dual carriageway and by the motorway.
All this makes Estepona a five-star city.

Basic data
Size: 136 Km²
Population: Approx. 51.000
Residents known as: Esteponeros
Monuments: Church of Ntra. Sra. de los Remedios, the Torre del Reloj (Clock Tower), Castle Walls, watch tower group.
Geographical situation: On the western Costa del Sol, at sea level, 81 kilometres from Malaga.
Tourist information: Town Hall, Plaza Blas Infante, 1. 29680.
Phone: 952 80 11 00 Fax: 952 793 977
Tourist Office: Avda. San Lorenzo, 1. 29880. Tel: 952 802 002

Fiestas
The festival of Estepona’s patron saint, San Isidro Labrador, takes place on May 15th, in which the people head for the countryside and hold processions in the town later on in the day. The Feria and the Fiestas Mayores of the town take place during the first week of June in the feria grounds, and there is also feria by daytime in the town centre. Estepona also had another patron saint, the Virgen del Carmen, and the corresponding festival is on July 16th, which involves a procession aboard fishing boats on the sea, carrying the image of the Virgin on board.

Gastronomy
The cuisine of the area is typically Andalusian, with many products used from the surrounding countryside but with an emphasis on sea foods. Citric and tropical fruits are extensively used locally, along with sardines on the spit and a great variety of fresh sea foods and fish. The area is known for its excellent restaurants.